Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Merced, CA

The median cooks, institution and cafeteria in Merced, CA earns $44,410 a year, 19% above the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,896 a month.

10th percentile: $37,100
25th percentile: $38,700
Median percentile: $44,410
75th percentile: $48,020
90th percentile: $58,820

Based on 190 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$34,755 take-home a year

Gross pay	$44,410
Federal income tax	−$3,149
Social Security + Medicare	−$3,397
California income tax (approx.)	−$3,109
Monthly take-home	$2,896
Every two weeks	$1,337

Does it go far here?

$45,190Median pay in Merced, CA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 98.3 vs 100).

46%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,343 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Merced, CA

Job	Median pay
Registered Nurses	$131,620
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	$100,120
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$99,600
General and Operations Managers	$94,990
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$68,070
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	$60,770
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$60,200
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	$56,700

All cooks, institution and cafeteria salaries · Take-home pay in California